ANTIFUNGAL POTENTIAL OF PLANT SPECIES FROM BRAZILIAN CAATINGA AGAINST DERMATOPHYTES

Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex, or Trichophyton spp. are the main etiologic agents of dermatophytosis, whose treatment is limited by the high cost of antifungal treatments, their various side effects, and the emergence of resistance amongst these species. This study evaluated the in vitro antidermatophytic activity of 23 crude extracts from nine plant species of semiarid vegetation (caatinga) found in Brazil. The extracts were tested at concentrations ranging from 1.95 to 1,000.0 mg/mL by broth microdilution assay against the reference strains T. rubrum ATCC 28189 and T. mentagrophytesATCC 11481, and 33 clinical isolates of dermatophytes. All plants showed a fungicidal effect against both fungal species, with MIC/MFC values of the active extracts ranging from 15.6 to 250.0 µg/mL. Selected extracts of Eugenia uniflora (AcE), Libidibia ferrea (AE), and Persea americana (AcE) also exhibited a fungicidal effect against all clinical isolates of T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes complex. This is the first report of the antifungal activity of Schinus terebinthifolius, Piptadenia colubrina, Parapiptadenia rigida, Mimosa ophthalmocentra, and Persea americana against both dermatophyte species.

Onychomycosis in Patients with Chronic Leg Ulcer and Toenail Abnormalities

Nails have a limited number of reactive patterns to disease. Accordingly, toenail changes of different etiologies may mimic onychomycosis. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of toenail onychomycosis among patients with leg ulcer and toenail abnormalities attending a dermatology clinic. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted through the analysis of clinical records and results of mycological examination. RESULTS A total of 81 patients were included, with a median age of 76.0 years. Most ulcers were of venous etiology, followed by those of mixed and arterial pathogenesis. The mycological evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of onychomycosis in 27.2% of the patients. The etiologic agent was a dermatophyte in 59.1% of isolates in nail samples, while Trichophyton interdigitale was the most frequent fungal species (40.9%). CONCLUSIONS Most toenail abnormalities in patients with chronic leg ulcer were not onychomycosis. This study highlights the importance of systematic mycological examination in these patients, in order to avoid overtreatment with systemic antifungals, unnecessary costs and side effects.

Cutaneous Infection by Different Alternaria Species in a Liver Transplant Recipient

Fungal invasive infections are rare in general population but are an emergent cause of infection in the immunocompromized population, especially in the solid organ transplant recipients. Herein the authors report a clinical case of a liver transplanted patient suffering a cutaneous co-existent infection with A. alternata as well as A. infectoria. To our knowledge this is the first case of cutaneous concomitant infection due to those two species reported not only in Portugal but also worldwide. The patient was treated with surgical excision of the lesions and oral itraconazol without relapse.

Molecular mechanisms of sexual development in basidiomycetes: exploring connections with lifestyles

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Doutor em Biologia

Pathogenicity of Evlachovaea sp (Hyphomycetes), a new species isolated from Triatoma sordida, in Chagas' disease vectors

Evlachovaea sp was tested on nymphs of 5 Triatoma spp 5 Rhodnius spp, Panstrongylus herreri and Dipetalogaster maximus at 25°C, 75% humidity and humidity >98%. Most species showed susceptibility to fungal infection at high humidity. Mortality was reduced at 75% humidity. Fungal development was observed on 69.5% of cadavers.

Intestinal spirochetosis and colon diverticulosis

A case of intestinal spirochetosis in a 62-year-old white male is reported. The condition was characterized by chronic flatulence and episodes of intestinal hemorrhage, in addition to the evidence of hypotonic diverticular disease, with a large number of slender organisms in the colon epithelium and cryptae. Spirochetes were demonstrated by Whartin-Starry stain. The serologic tests for syphilis and HIV were positive. Spirochetosis was treated with penicillin G, and the patient remains free of intestinal complaints 20 months later.

Bilateral adrenal histoplasmosis in an immunocompetent man

Histoplasmosis is a fungal disease that is endemic in Brazil. It may present as chronic pulmonary infection or in disseminated form. Disseminated histoplasmosis frequently affects the adrenal gland; however, unilateral involvement in immunosuppressed patients is the usual presentation. We report a case of an elderly immunocompetent male with history of weight loss, fever and bilateral adrenal mass who was successfully treated with itraconazole.

Paracoccidioidomycosis: no genetic damage in human peripheral blood cells of patients assessed by single-cell gel (comet) assay

Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic fungal infection caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. As infectious diseases can cause DNA damage, the authors aimed at analyzing DNA breakage in peripheral blood cells of patients with paracoccidioidomycosis by using the comet assay. The results suggested that paracoccidioidomycosis does not cause genotoxicity.

Aspergillus niger causing tracheobronchitis and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in a lung transplant recipient: case report

A case of invasive aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus niger in a lung transplant recipient is described. The patient presented hyperglycemia starting postoperatively, with other complications such as cytomegalovirus infection. The associated predisposing factors and other implications are discussed. Aspergillus niger seems to be a fungal species of low virulence that requires the presence of a severely immunosuppressed host to cause invasive disease.

The grapevine defences

Grapevine is one of the most cultivated fruit crop worldwide with Vitis vinifera being the species with the highest economical importance due to the high quality standards of its berries. Nonetheless, it is also the most susceptible Vitis species to fungal pathogens. Among others, relevant fungal diseases currently threatening grapevine cultures are powdery mildew, caused by Erysiphe necator, and esca, a disease complex comprised of several fungi in which Phaeomoniella chlamydospora and Phaeoacremonium aleophilum participate.(...)

Exploring ionic liquids′ unique stimuli to elucidate uncharacterised cellular and molecular mechanisms in filamentous fungi

The emergence of new fungal pathogens, either of plants or animals, and the increasing number of reported cases of resistant human pathogenic strains to the available antifungal drugs reinforces the need for better understanding the biology of filamentous fungi. Conventional drugs target components of the fungal membrane or cell wall, therefore identifying novel intracellular targets, yet unique to fungi, is a global priority.(...)

Recurrent Acremonium infection in a kidney transplant patient treated with voriconazole: a case report

Acremonium infection is rare and associated with immunosuppression. A case of recurrent cutaneous Acremonium infection after short term voriconazole use is described. Surgical resection was the definitive therapy. Oral voriconazole was used in the treatment of Acremonium infection, but recurrence was associated with short therapy. Prolonged antifungal therapy and surgical resection are discussed for the treatment of localized lesions.

Clinical and evolutionary characteristics of four patients with pulmonary histoplasmosis reported in the Paraíba Paulista Valley region

The type of pulmonary histoplasmosis presents limited lesions to the lungs, with symptoms that are clinically and radiological similar to chronic pulmonary tuberculosis. This paper describes the clinical features of four cases of pulmonary histoplasmosis. Aspects of diagnostic and clinical, epidemiological, laboratorial and imaging exams are discussed, in addition to the clinical status of the individuals five years after disease onset. The treatment of choice was oral medication, following which all the patients improved. It is important to understand the clinical status and the difficulties concerning the differential diagnosis of histoplasmosis, to assist the proper indication of cases, thus reducing potential confusion with other diseases.

Evaluation of pathogenic fungi occurrence in traumatogenic structures of freshwater fish

INTRODUCTION: Fungal infections in human skin, such as sporotrichosis, can occur after fish induced trauma. This work aimed to identify fungi in freshwater fish that are pathogenic to humans. METHODS: Extraction of dental arches from Serrassalmus maculatus (piranha) and Hoplias malabaricus (wolf fish), stings from Pimelodus maculatus (mandis catfish), dorsal fin rays from Plagioscion spp. (corvina) and Tilapia spp., for culture in Mycosel agar. Some cultures were submitted to DNA extraction for molecular identification by sequencing ITS-5.8S rDNA. RESULTS: Cultures identified most yeast as Candida spp., while sequencing also permitted the identification of Phoma spp. and Yarrowia lipolytica. CONCLUSIONS: While the search for S. schenckii was negative, the presence of fungus of the genera Phoma and Candida revealed the pathogenic potential of this infection route. The genus Phoma is involved in certain forms of phaeohyphomycosis, a subcutaneous mycosis caused by dematiaceous fungi, with reports of infections in human organs and systems. Traumatizing structures of some freshwater fish present pathogenic fungi and this may be an important infection route that must be considered in some regions of Brazil, since there are a large number of a fisherman in constant contact with traumatogenic fish.

Rhinocerebral zygomycosis in a diabetic patient

Rhinocerebral zygomycosis is the most frequent form of fungal infection caused by members of the Zygomycetes class. A fatal case of rhinocerebral zygomycosis caused by Rhizopus (oryzae) arrhizus with histopathological and mycological diagnosis is reported in a diabetic patient.